Posting Title: LIAISON OFFICER, NOC

Job Code Title: Liaison Officer

Department/Office: United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia

Duty Station: Florencia; BOGOTA; CALI; CUCUTA; MEDELLIN; PASTO; Popayan; Valledupar; VILLAVICENCIO;

Posting Period: 19 June 2023 – 17 August 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Political Affairs-UNVMC-211961-R- (M)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingThese positions are located in Regional Offices of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC). The Liaison Officer will contribute to engaging with host country stakeholders and other multilateral organizations on peacekeeping, crisis management, conflict prevention and mediation matters in accordance with the mission’s mandate. S/he will report to the Regional Head of Office.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Liaison Officer is responsible for performing the following duties:

•  Participates fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of the office or mission, i.e., engaging with host country stakeholders , including with the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and multilateral organizations on peacekeeping, crisis management, the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement, conflict prevention and mediation.
•  Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the senior staff and mission leadership related to the mission’s mandate. As requested, provides information on assigned issues regarding the Colombia Peace process and the Final Peace Agreement, on issues related to the implementation by national institutions of Chapters 1 (Agrarian Rural Reform), 5.1.2 (Restorative Sentences) and 6.2 (Ethnic Chapter) of the Agreement, ensuring a gender sensitive approach.
•  Cooperates and collaborates with counterparts to develop strategies to address peace challenges as per the mission’s mandate objectives from an intersectional and differential sensitive approach. Develops and maintains relations with UN Country Team colleagues, Government Representatives, Regional Intergovernmental Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, law enforcement actors, academic and research institutions for discussions to reach consensus and make decisions; prepares trend analysis monthly and sitrep as requested; supports main stakeholders programming and institutional liaison.
•  Participates as a team member in an office which could deal with a variety of political issues in a region and /or areas with conflict dynamics. Attends meetings to identify the scope of the project, considers methodologies and participates in developing guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new team. Assists in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring missions and/or interagency involvement and participation. As requested, represents the team at round tables, seminars and conferences.
•  Supports his/her supervisor in the coordination of mission-wide inputs for reports to the Secretary-General, internal reports and other sensitive and confidential communications to UNHQ. Provides assistance and support to other substantive sections of the mission to have a consensual approach to the mission environment, mandate and operations among mission actors, and relevant national and international stakeholders. Supervises staff as assigned; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches and mentors junior staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff.
•  Ensures that all UNVMC policies are applied and followed thoroughly across all processes, including adherence to UNVMC code of conduct and ethics, and integrates a gender-sensitive approach in all functions.

CompetenciesProfessionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field is required. A first level university degree with a combination of two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific QualificationA valid driver´s licence is desirable.

Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in political science, political affairs, international relations, law, mediation, conflict resolution or related area is required. A minimum of two (2) years of experience working on the Colombia Peace process is desirable. Experience in the United Nations System, Government, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or an international organization is desirable. Experience in Latin America issues is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Spanish (both oral and written) is required. NOTE: Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.

AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special NoticeCandidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. The appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. This recruitment process will generate a roster for future vacancies at the same level, job category, similar fuctinons and in the same duty station. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.